One of my great loves is the Peak District. Since I was ill over the new year, I’ve been itching to get back into condition for the spring, so I can start doing my long dayrides into Derbyshire again. Over the last couple of weeks I’ve spent some time away from work, gradually undertaking longer and longer rides to see if I can still cut it. As readers of my 365daysofbbiking Tumbr will be aware, last Friday I did a century, a ride of 115 miles. I’m very pleased – hard work, my speed isn’t quite right yet, but not bad.

This route is almost totally on traffic-freecycle trail, converted from former railway tracks. After an initial climb or 300 metres, the trail to Pomeroy is almost totally flat. Click for a larger version.

I’m very interested at the moment in the Monsall trail. Just before last Christmas, I took a train to Matlock, cycled the trail from Bakewell to Wyedale, and returned via the Tissington Trail and Ashbourne. Although it was wonderful, I felt I was undertaking the route the wrong way round, as I was heading uphill all along the Monsall Trail. So last Friday, I took a train early to Cromford, and headed up the High Peak Trail from Cromford Wharf on the Cromford Canal. After a 300m climb to Harboro Rocks, I cruised the 12 mile, almost perfectly flat High Peak Trail to Parsley Hay, Then northwards on the Tissington, at the end of which, I joined the Penine Bridleway. This climbs gently to 440m at Fivewells, where commanding views of Chee Dale and Buxton can be enjoyed. From there, I dropped into Wye Dale via the A6, absolutely blasting down Topley Pike, then onto the Monsal Trail.

I stopped for lunch at Hassop Station – a top notch bookshop and cafe, converted from a former station, then energised, sped down to Bakewell, back on the A6 into Derby, through the Amber and Derwent valleys. After a break, I joined national cycle route 54 and headed home through Mackworth on another traffic-free Sustrans trail, through Etwall to Burton, then Sinai Park, Barton Under Needwood, Lichfield and home.

Here's the rest of the route featured in the video, to Hassop Station on the Monsall Trail. Again, almost all traffic-free cycle trail, except for the section on the A6. This can be avoided by following the Pennine Bridleway, but having slugged up Topley Pike loads of times, I wasn't going to miss the opportunity to fly down it. Click for a larger version.

The initial climb onto the High Peak Trail is a killer – sweat was pouring out of me and I was in shirtsleeves, but that climb is rewarded with a flat, beautiful route through High Peak, past the beauty of Minninglow great barrow and beautiful places like Gotham. The climb starts again at the Tissington Trail, but it’s gentle and enjoyable. As I reached Fivewells, the beauty was incredible. Views of the Wye Valley, Chee Dale and Buxton spread out before me, and the descent that I was rewarded with – no real climb again until well south of Derby – is just splendid.

GPS altitude profile of the route in the video. The climb is rewarded by a much more enjoyable, prolonged descent.

This was a great ride, and although the weather was dull and misty, I really enjoyed it. Although not back on top form, I was better than I thought I would be. I had to take long breaks in Hassop, Matlock and Derby, but that was no bad thing. This is certainly the direction to do the Monsal trail.

If you fancy doing it yourself, if only partially, theres parking along the trails, and parking and bike hire at Parsley Hay, Wye Daye and Hassop. These are great route to do with kids, or if you’re a nervous returnee to cycling. The High Peak Trail is easy going (if you start past Cromford…) as is the Monsal and Tissington, and they’re all traffic free. Why not give it a go? I love these places, and think you would, too.

4 Responses to Up hill and down dale

I ought to have commented on these before. Keep them coming! I used to do a lot of cycling and travelled the A515 regularly. Is the transport cafe still there at Draycott in the Clay? Used to get a mug of tea and a bun to stoke up for that hill on the way back; not very big really, but after 80-odd miles it seemed more tiring. Sometimes I tried the lanes more or less parallel, through Hoar Cross or Newborough, but it really slowed me down so, unusually for me, I preferred the main road. At least it’s plenty wide enough for traffic to leave plenty of room. I particularly enjoyed the Weaver Hills videos and this latest one. From Parsley Hay I liked to go via Miller’s Dale (Angler’s Rest, watching trout in the river) and Tideswell. Got cramp one sizzling day climbing out of Lathkill Dale. A favourite run was to Ludlow for lunch – Chelsyn Hay, Saredon (though that area has changed a lot), Pattingham, Worfield, Bridgnorth, Cleedownton, Ludlow, Stokesay, Craven Arms, Much Wenlock, Coalbrookdale, Brewood (I’m sure I wouldn’t need a map even now) then home in time for bath and dinner. 110 miles. Tired, but content. Knees won’t do it any more.